Patentable/Patents/US-8504030
US-8504030

Transmission of channel quality indications

PublishedAugust 6, 2013
Assigneenot available in USPTO data we have
Inventorsnot available in USPTO data we have
Technical Abstract

Indications of desired radio communications downlink characteristics are transmitted via a radio communications uplink from a user equipment to a node of a cellular wireless network, the indications each relating to one or more components of a radio communications link from the node to the user equipment. The indications are transmitted successively at different cycles, and at each different cycle a first parameter is determined, indicating a more preferred number of components and a second parameter is determined, indicating a less preferred number of components. First additional parameters are calculated and transmitted relating to the desired radio communications link quality corresponding to the first parameter and second additional parameters are calculated and transmitted relating to the desired radio communications link quality on the basis of the second parameter. The first and second parameters are each parameters which are variable between different cycles.

Patent Claims
18 claims

Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.

Claim 1

Original Legal Text

1. A method of transmitting, via a radio communications uplink, a plurality of indications of desired radio communications downlink characteristics from a user equipment to a node of a cellular wireless network, said indications each relating to one or more components of a radio communications link from the node to the user equipment, the method comprising transmitting said plurality of indications of desired radio communications downlink characteristics successively at different cycles by: determining a first parameter, indicating a more preferred number of components which is a number of components which the user equipment would prefer to be included in said radio communications link by the user equipment; determining a second parameter, indicating a less preferred number of components which is a number of components which may be included in said radio communications link should the more preferred number of components not be included; calculating first additional parameters relating to the desired radio communications link quality corresponding to the first parameter; calculating second additional parameters relating to the desired radio communications link quality on the basis of the second parameter; transmitting said first additional parameters in a first signalling field via said radio communications uplink; and transmitting said second additional parameters in a second signalling field via said radio communications uplink, wherein the first parameter, upon which the calculation of the first additional parameters included in the first signalling field is based, is a parameter which is variable between different cycles, wherein the second parameter, upon which the calculation of the second additional parameters included in the second signalling field is based, is a parameter which is variable between different cycles, and wherein said determining of the second parameter is performed by processing a third parameter.

Plain English Translation

A mobile phone (user equipment) sends information about desired downlink radio conditions to a cellular base station (node) over the uplink. The phone sends multiple reports at different times (cycles). Each report specifies parameters about radio link components like data streams. Each report includes: 1) A "preferred" number of radio link components, 2) A "less preferred" number of radio link components (a fallback option). The phone calculates and sends additional quality parameters related to both the preferred and less preferred configurations. The preferred and less preferred number of components can change each time the phone sends an updated report. The less preferred number is determined from a third parameter.

Claim 2

Original Legal Text

2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the third parameter indicates a preferred difference between the more preferred number of components and the less preferred number of components, and said processing of the third parameter comprises: subtracting the preferred difference indicated by the third parameter from the more preferred number of components to give a resultant number; and setting the second parameter to indicate a less preferred number of components in dependence on the resultant number.

Plain English Translation

The method of reporting downlink radio conditions, where the "third parameter" is the *difference* between the "preferred" and "less preferred" number of components. The phone calculates the "less preferred" number by subtracting this difference from the "preferred" number. The phone then reports quality information corresponding to this resultant "less preferred" configuration.

Claim 3

Original Legal Text

3. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said a third parameter indicates a number of components preferred for use as a fallback position, and said processing of the third parameter comprises: comparing the number of components indicated by the third parameter with the more preferred number of components; and setting the second parameter to indicate a less preferred number of components which is the same as the number of components indicated by the third parameter, dependent upon the number of components indicated by the third parameter being less than or equal to the more preferred number of components.

Plain English Translation

The method of reporting downlink radio conditions, where the "third parameter" indicates a specific number of radio components to use as a fallback. The phone compares this fallback number to the "preferred" number of components. If the fallback number is less than or equal to the preferred number, the phone sets the "less preferred" number to be equal to this fallback number, and reports quality information for that fallback configuration.

Claim 4

Original Legal Text

4. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the third parameter is a predetermined parameter held at the user equipment.

Plain English Translation

The method of reporting downlink radio conditions, where the "third parameter" (used to determine the less preferred number of components) is pre-configured and stored in the mobile phone's memory, rather than being dynamically received from the network.

Claim 5

Original Legal Text

5. A method according to claim 1 , the method comprising receiving the third parameter from the node of the cellular wireless network in a first message.

Plain English Translation

The method of reporting downlink radio conditions, where the phone receives the "third parameter" (used to determine the less preferred number of components) from the base station (node) via a message.

Claim 6

Original Legal Text

6. A method according to claim 5 , wherein the first message is received using Radio Resource Control signalling.

Plain English Translation

The method of reporting downlink radio conditions, where the phone receives the "third parameter" from the base station via a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message.

Claim 7

Original Legal Text

7. A method according to claim 5 , wherein the first message is received using High Speed Shared Control Channel signalling.

Plain English Translation

The method of reporting downlink radio conditions, where the phone receives the "third parameter" from the base station via a High Speed Shared Control Channel (HS-SCCH) message.

Claim 8

Original Legal Text

8. A method according to claim 1 , wherein: said radio communications link from the node to the user equipment is a High Speed Downlink Packet Access link; the first field is a Type A Channel Quality Indicator message; and the second field is a Type B Channel Quality Indicator message.

Plain English Translation

The method of reporting downlink radio conditions specifically for High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) links. The "preferred" configuration quality is sent in a Type A Channel Quality Indicator (CQI) message, and the "less preferred" (fallback) configuration quality is sent in a Type B CQI message.

Claim 9

Original Legal Text

9. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said one or more components are transmission streams of a multiple transmitter communication link.

Plain English Translation

The method of reporting downlink radio conditions, where the "radio link components" being reported on are transmission streams (layers) in a Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) communication system.

Claim 10

Original Legal Text

10. A user equipment for transmitting, via a radio communications uplink, a plurality of indications of desired radio communications downlink characteristics to a node of a cellular wireless network, said indications each relating to one or more components of a radio communications link from the node to the user equipment, said plurality of indications of desired radio communications downlink characteristics being transmitted successively at different cycles, the user equipment comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the user equipment to: determine a first parameter, indicating a more preferred number of components which is a number of components which the user equipment would prefer to be included in said radio communications link by the user equipment; determine a second parameter, indicating a less preferred number of components which is a number of components which may be included in said radio communications link should the more preferred number of components not be included; calculate first additional parameters relating to the desired radio communications link quality corresponding to the first parameter; calculate second additional parameters relating to the desired radio communications link quality on the basis of the second parameter; transmit said first additional parameters in a first signalling field via said radio communications uplink; and transmit said second additional parameters in a second signalling field via said radio communications uplink, wherein the first parameter, upon which the calculation of the first additional parameters included in the first signalling field is based, is a parameter which is variable between different cycles, wherein the second parameter, upon which the calculation of the second additional parameters included in the second signalling field is based, is a parameter which is variable between different cycles, and wherein said determining of the second parameter is performed by processing a third parameter.

Plain English Translation

A mobile phone (user equipment) transmits downlink radio condition information to a cellular base station (node) over the uplink, sending reports periodically. Each report includes information about downlink data stream components: 1) A "preferred" number of radio link components, 2) A "less preferred" number of radio link components (a fallback option). The phone calculates and sends quality parameters related to both configurations. The preferred/less preferred number of components can change in each report. The "less preferred" number is determined from a third parameter. The phone's processor and memory are configured to perform these actions.

Claim 11

Original Legal Text

11. A user equipment according to claim 10 , wherein the third parameter indicates a preferred difference between the more preferred number of components and the less preferred number of components, and said processing of the third parameter comprises: subtracting the preferred difference indicated by the third parameter from the more preferred number of components to give a resultant number; and setting the second parameter to indicate a less preferred number of components in dependence on the resultant number.

Plain English Translation

A mobile phone that reports downlink radio conditions, where the "third parameter" is the *difference* between the "preferred" and "less preferred" number of components. The phone calculates the "less preferred" number by subtracting this difference from the "preferred" number. The phone then reports quality information corresponding to this resultant "less preferred" configuration. The phone's processor and memory are configured to perform these actions.

Claim 12

Original Legal Text

12. A user equipment according to claim 10 , wherein the third parameter indicates a number of components preferred for use as a fallback position, and said processing of the third parameter comprises: comparing the number of components indicated by the third parameter with the more preferred number of components; and setting the second parameter to indicate a less preferred number of components which is the same as the number of components indicated by the third parameter, dependent upon the number of components indicated by the third parameter being less than or equal to the more preferred number of components.

Plain English Translation

A mobile phone that reports downlink radio conditions, where the "third parameter" indicates a specific number of radio components to use as a fallback. The phone compares this fallback number to the "preferred" number of components. If the fallback number is less than or equal to the preferred number, the phone sets the "less preferred" number to be equal to this fallback number, and reports quality information for that fallback configuration. The phone's processor and memory are configured to perform these actions.

Claim 13

Original Legal Text

13. A user equipment according to claim 10 , wherein the third parameter is a predetermined parameter held at the user equipment.

Plain English Translation

A mobile phone that reports downlink radio conditions, where the "third parameter" (used to determine the less preferred number of components) is pre-configured and stored in the phone's memory, rather than being dynamically received from the network.

Claim 14

Original Legal Text

14. A user equipment according to claim 10 , the user equipment being configured to receive the third parameter from the node of the cellular wireless network in a first message.

Plain English Translation

A mobile phone that reports downlink radio conditions, and receives the "third parameter" (used to determine the less preferred number of components) from the base station (node) via a message.

Claim 15

Original Legal Text

15. A user equipment according to claim 14 , wherein the user equipment is configured to receive the first message using Radio Resource Control signalling.

Plain English Translation

A mobile phone that reports downlink radio conditions, and receives the "third parameter" from the base station via a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message.

Claim 16

Original Legal Text

16. A user equipment according to claim 14 , wherein the user equipment is configured to receive the first message using High Speed Shared Control Channel signalling.

Plain English Translation

A mobile phone that reports downlink radio conditions, and receives the "third parameter" from the base station via a High Speed Shared Control Channel (HS-SCCH) message.

Claim 17

Original Legal Text

17. A user equipment according to claim 10 , wherein: said radio communications link from the node to the user equipment is a High Speed Downlink Packet Access link; the first field is a Type A Channel Quality Indicator message; the second field is a Type B Channel Quality Indicator message; and said one or more components are transmission streams of a multiple transmitter communication link.

Plain English Translation

A mobile phone that reports downlink radio conditions specifically for High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) links. The "preferred" configuration quality is sent in a Type A Channel Quality Indicator (CQI) message, and the "less preferred" (fallback) configuration quality is sent in a Type B CQI message. The "radio link components" are transmission streams in a MIMO system.

Claim 18

Original Legal Text

18. A node of a cellular wireless network for receiving, via a radio communications uplink, a plurality of indications of desired radio communications downlink characteristics from a user equipment, said indications each relating to one or more components of a radio communications link from the node to the user equipment, said plurality of indications of desired radio communications downlink characteristics being transmitted by the user equipment successively at different cycles, the node comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the node to at least: transmit a first message to the user equipment carrying a transmitted indicator; and receive via said radio communications uplink, at each said different cycle, first additional parameters in a first signalling field and second additional parameters in a second signalling field, wherein said first additional parameters relate to a desired radio communications link quality calculated on the basis of a first parameter that indicates a more preferred number of components which is a number of components which the user equipment would prefer to be included in said radio communications link by the user equipment, and said second additional parameters relate to a desired radio communications link quality calculated on the basis of a second parameter that indicates a less preferred number of components which is a number of components which may be included in said radio communications link should the more preferred number of components not be included, wherein the first parameter, upon which the calculation of the first additional parameters included in the first signalling field is based, is a parameter which is variable between different cycles, wherein the second parameter, upon which the calculation of the second additional parameters included in the second signalling field is based, is a parameter which is variable between different cycles, and which is derived from said transmitted indicator, and wherein said second parameter is determined by processing a third parameter.

Plain English Translation

A cellular base station (node) receives downlink radio condition information from a mobile phone (user equipment) over the uplink. The mobile phone sends reports periodically. The base station sends a message to the phone including an indicator (third parameter). The base station then receives, at different cycles, 1) quality parameters for a "preferred" number of downlink components and 2) quality parameters for a "less preferred" number (fallback) of components. The "less preferred" configuration is determined from the "third parameter" that was transmitted from the base station. The preferred/less preferred configuration varies across cycles. The node's processor and memory are configured to perform these actions.

Classification Codes (CPC)

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Patent Metadata

Filing Date

November 8, 2011

Publication Date

August 6, 2013

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Transmission of channel quality indications